This is the highest level of professional recognition available from the HEA, and acknowledges sustained and effective strategic leadership demonstrated at institution-wide or inter/national level in relation to learning and teaching. To date, it has been awarded only to an elite group of some 800 academic and academic-related staff across the UK.

Dr Wiley is the only current permanent member of academic staff at the University of Surrey to achieve this status and one of the first nationally within the discipline of Music. It follows his successful application for Senior Fellowship, the HEA’s second-highest level of professional recognition, in 2015.

Applications of up to 7,500 words in length are evaluated by an external panel of HEA reviewers against Descriptor 4 of the UK Professional Standards Framework for teaching and learning support in Higher Education. Several advocate statements from suitably qualified individuals are also required in support of the candidate.